Latest News - Alerts - Press Releases

New funding of £500,000 has been reported by the Health Secretary to go towards a national helpline to support 'children of alcoholics' as part of a new Government strategy. The announcement comes after ongoing work by several high profile MPs...

This alert advises of the availability of, and harms from, heroin that has been mixed with fentanyl or carfentanyl, both unusually potent synthetic opioids.

Contaminated Heroin Warning issued 6th February 2015. To view the warning and presenting symptoms click hereThere have been a number of cases where people have contracted botulism after using contaminated heroin in the UK. Wound botulismis a rare but very serious illness that can be fatal and is caused by a bacterial toxin. It is acquired when spores of the bacterium Clostridium Botulinium get into the body via a wound. The spores are found naturally in the environment (for example in soil), so they can contaminate supplies of street drugs such as heroin. People who use these may get a wound infection through injecting the contaminated drug into skin or muscle. The toxin produced by the bacteria is then absorbed into the bloodstream and leads to paralysis. Wound botulism is not spread from person to person but by using contaminated drugs. Remember this advice from Public Health England (PHE):

1. There is no way of knowing if the drugs are contaminated

2. Overall smoking heroin is likely to be safer than injecting, though there are still risks.

3. If possible stop using heroin. See your GP or someone from a drugs service about starting a substitute prescribed medication

4. If you must inject make sure you hit a vein - your blood is better at killing this bacteria than skin or muscle

5. Don't share needles, syringes, cookers/spoons or other 'works' with other people using drugs

6. Use as little citric acid as possible to dissolve the heroin. A lot can damage the muscle or body under the skin and this damage gives the bacteria a better chance to grow.

7. Use a different place on your body with clean' works' if you inject more than one drug. This is important as some drugs e.g. cocaine can reduce the blood supply to the injection site and could give the bacteria better conditions to grow.

8. If you get swelling, redness or pain at the injection site, or pus collects under the skin you should get it checked out by a doctor immediately, especially if the infection feels different to others you may have had in the past.

PMMA Drug Alert - issued 28th January 2015 by Public Health England

Following an alert received from Spain on 26th January, PHE is issuing this alert as a warning about the possible continued availability of pills sold as ecstasy but containing large quantities of PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine), a more potent chemical linked to a number of recent deaths and hospitalisations in this country.Superman-branded red pills have been found to contain large quantities of PMMA (paramethoxymeth-amphetamine) and have been linked to four deaths in Ipswich, Rendlesham and Telford over the Christmas and New Year period and incidents in the Netherlands and Sweden.

On 8th August 2014 legislation was laid that will permit drug services to provide aluminium foil to drug users for the purpose of smoking drugs, in order to reduce the harms caused by injecting. It is a condition that foil can only be provided in the context of structured stpes either to engage people in a treatment plan or as part of a treatment plan. This briefin explains more about the legislation that will come into force on 5th September 2014 and provides advice to local areas on its implementation. More

Buying Legal Highs online [ Matrix Article Oct 2014]

Article on Global Drug Survey (GDS) finds users moving from dealers to internet, while extent of alcohol use remains 'very worrying'. More drug users are buying their drugs online – including so-called legal highs as well as illegal drugs such as cannabis and MDMA – because they say the quality is better, there is more choice and it is more convenient, research has found. More

2C-I factoid

EU surveys of 15-16 year olds show that up to 5% of this age group have experienced hallucinogenic drugs, compared with 10% in the USA.

2C-I is a member of the 2CB family and is sometimes sold as ecstasy. Here's everything you need to know about 2C-I, from how to recognize them, what it does and what will happen if you get caught in possession... more

The Home Office has decided to classify some synthetic Cannabinoids and Methoxetamine as Class B drugs. Sold under names like 'Mexxy' and 'Black Mamba', these substances have typically been sold on the internet as legal highs... More

Alcohol Concern has developed an online interactive tool that reveals the real cost of alcohol misuse by local authority in England. The Alcohol Harm Map contains data on people drinking at risky levels, alcohol-related healthcare costs, alcohol-related hospital admissions and alcohol-related deaths.. More

It was celebrations all round for Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care Ltd, as they proudly accepted the Queen's Award, an MBE for voluntary organisations, at an event held at Christ Church, Town Square Woking on 16th September 2011. More

Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care Ltd are now full members of The Helpline Assocation, which provides our callers with another level of quality assurance. The THA independently certify that when you call us you will be provided with unbiased support, information and advice and that the person who takes your call is trained and supported. More ...

Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care Ltd has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. This award was inaugurated in 2002 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee year, is made annually to groups who have given "outstanding voluntary work in the community" More ...

SDAC Ltd

Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care Ltd (SDAC) operates a helpline open to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We offer help and support for anyone who is concerned about the problems that Drugs and Alcohol cause.

SDAC Ltd

As a registered charity, Surrey Drug & Alcohol Care services are free of charge, and the number is widely advertised in the Surrey Area. Founded in 1986, it introduced a permanent helpline service in 1987 and has been in continuous operation ever since. Between 50 and 60 volunteers active with SDAC at any time.

About SDAC

Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care Ltd (SDAC) operates a helpline open to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We offer help and support for anyone who is concerned about the problems that Drugs and Alcohol cause.
They could be users themselves, parents, siblings or friends.
Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care Ltd is a member of The Helplines Association Click here to read more About Us ...

SDAC Ltd

About Us

Latest News, Alerts and Press Releases.
Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care Ltd are now full members of The Helpline Assocation, which provides our callers with another level of quality assurance. The THA independently certify that when you call us you will be provided with unbiased support, information and advice and that the person who takes your call is trained and supported.Click here to read more of our latest news ...